The Jaguar Land Rover (JLR) owned by Tata Motors plans to build its first all-electric car in Austria.
The company will initially launch a small production line in Austria, with a capacity of 10,000 cars a year, by leasing space in an existing factory.
This luxury class series brand’s electric debut is expected to begin production by next year.
“Jaguar Land Rover continues to evaluate opportunities in a range of markets to increase our global manufacturing footprint in the future,” the company said in a statement.
According to expert opinion, Jaguar may be eyeing electric vehicle segment in order to avoid forthcoming European Union emission fines.
The company’s decision to penetrate into the all-electric car market comes as no surprise considering that all major carmakers have been hastening to make electric and hybrid cars.
Few days ago, at the Geneva Motor Show in Switzerland, JLR revealed its latest convertible version of the Evoque model.
The model will be the world’s first premium compact SUV convertible which will go on sale in 2016.
JLR also released a video of the vehicle being driven through the 26-mile network of Cross rail tunnels 40m below the streets of London.
With the release of the new Jaguar XE and Land Rover Discovery Sport, Jaguar Land Rover expects an increase in fleet sales in 2015.
Recently, it was also confirmed that Jaguar is developing an SVR branded variant of one of its models, most likely the F-Type.
Now it has been confirmed that Jaguar Land Rover’s Special Vehicle Operations division will create its own standalone models.
Recently JLR has launched its new XE “baby Jag” and F-Pace sports utility vehicle.
In addition, a new factory in China has been opened and one is under construction in Brazil.
The Tata bought JLR from Ford at a cost of USD 2.3 billion in 2008.
At present, the company sells almost half-a-million vehicles, seeking new factory options in America.
Sabeena Wahid
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